What actual diff does this make though? Cip had almost NO game time anyway, so no worries… unless Ford, ho hum again, gets crocked of course. But then there’s always that MotM Farrell, isn’t there?

He has a right to stand on any street corner he likes.

In a sport where we expect players to knock 7 bells out of one another, isn’t sometimes a bit unrealistic to expect them to act like choir boys all the time? Martin Johnson & Lawes for instance, have also had their ‘moments’ of history.

These ‘moments’ are in some people’s make up more than others, but Lancaster picks these guys, so he must bear some responsibility too.

But some get away with it, like Farrell v Bath, some, like Hartley, don’t.

As mentioned, Lawes has had his red mist moments too; like going into an opponent’s head with his knees when both were on the ground, over the sideline & therefore out of play. In fairness, though, he’s not been naughty lately.

If you’re looking for a good boy, there are probably better examples out there than ‘the enforcer’.

I mean, no card of any colour for Farrell’s rugby league ‘stiff arm’ tackle causing his opponent to leave the field & as for the ‘Good’e shoulder charge, it was bad, or IOW a yellow.

And Lawes has had his moments too, although granted, not much of late.

But surely England under Lancaster aren’t thinking clearly. Whilst espousing discipline on the one hand, on the other, he picks these SH types with history?! What’s the Jackanory?

If this proves to be his last involvement at international level then he has only himself to blame,though to be fair Jim Mallinder hasn’t helped with his “that’s the way he is” comments.

All the best to Cowan Dickie and George. Let’s hope they really step up and give SL a serious selection problem.